Tehran Electo
Technical Information
- TitleTehran Electo
- Year2020
- Runtime 06:17 min.
- Language Persian
- Country Iran
- Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Shooting Format Digital
- Color Color
Synopsis
Here, despite its resemblance to a beautiful sunny day in Berlin, London, or New York, it is just an ordinary day in Tehran. In 2020, during the height of the Corona pandemic, some Iranian DJs live-streamed their performances for their online audience from this private garden. In Iran, there is no such thing as a club with a known address where you can expect a party. Every party is underground or hidden in a different sense. The community is built on connections through friends or friends of friends. Yet, it's everywhere. Any random door you knock on may reveal a surprising world behind it. The doors may appear normal, like any apartment's door, but as you step inside, it's as if another dimension comes to life. Iran's electronic music scene has experienced significant growth and development in recent years. The city serves as a hub for emerging talents and showcases a diverse range of electronic music styles. Twenty years ago, such scenes could only be found in uptown Tehran and the northern suburbs. It was practiced within a community of those privileged enough to have traveled to Europe and brought the influence back to the affluent youth uptown. However, today, the scene has expanded across Iran. From the dark and brooding soundscapes of Tehran's abandoned warehouses to the shimmering and ethereal ambiance of Isfahan's underground clubs, or hidden within the jungles of Mazandaran, in the north, or deep in the empty deserts of in the center of the country.
Director Biography
The electronic music scene in Iran stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the youth in the face of oppression. Speaking unbiaesly, It has not only adopted the beats and devices but also the entire culture, fashion, behavior, and individuality. Traditional music and dance in Iran used to be a collective activity where people would form circles, clap hands, and dance together or dance in groups of two or three facing each other, looking into each other's eyes. The electronic scene has changed all that. Just as a live band is no longer necessary to produce music, individuals now dance on their own, connecting with their own bodies through the beats, sometimes even with their eyes closed, delving into their own thoughts. Here, the connection is purely internal, within their own being. There is a notable absence of the Iranian traditional culture characterized by constant human connection, radiant smiles, and animated conversations. This generation, seemingly tired of antiquated norms, has made a deliberate choice to step back and minimize the deep interpersonal bonds associated with Eastern traditions. Instead, they strive to emulate the ambiance of a trendy fashion venue—reducing verbal exchanges, toning down laughter, while exuding an air of hipness and coolness. The famous 6/8 Iranian dance beat is no longer prevalent, but Iranian DJs today demonstrate a remarkable ability to experiment and push boundaries, blending traditional Persian sounds with contemporary electronic elements. Beneath the surface of a society that seeks to suppress expression, a movement of sonic revolutionaries emerges, weaving together beats and melodies that refuse to be silenced.